Tension As APC, PDP, LP, YPP, APGA Jostle for Legislative Seats in C/River, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi States

By Ndifreke BASSEY (Calabar), Uyinme BASSEY (Uyo) & Oko OMAKA (Abakaliki)

There is palpable tension and fear among the political class and voters in Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi states ahead of INEC re-run and bye-elections slated for Saturday, February 3, 2024. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on December 22, 2023 announced that it would conduct re-run and bye-elections simultaneously in nine states on Saturday, February 3, 2024.

In a statement signed by the INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, senatorial districts elections would be held in Ebonyi South, Ebonyi State, and Yobe East, Yobe state.

Also a re-run would be conducted in Ibiono Ibom state constituency and Ikono/ Ini federal constituency all in Akwa Ibom state. INEC would conduct elections in Chibok state constituency, Borno state, Chikun state constituency, Kaduna state, and Guma state constituency in Benue state. In the light of the above, leading political parties including Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) All Progressives Congress (APC) Labour Party (LP) and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Ebonyi states  are geared up for the  the elections.

And as characteristics of electioneering, their various candidates have taken their campaigns to all the nooks and crannies of their constituencies canvassing for votes from the electorate.

In Cross River, the race is between the ruling APC and PDP in Akamkpa/Biase federal constituency,Obanliku and Yala II state constituencies.

For Akamkpa/Biase re-run, available facts from the Court's ruling puts the APC on the advantage with 2, 433 votes across the 19 polling units slated for the supplementary election.

According to Appeal ruling, the total scores for the APC and PDP at the end of the National Assembly Election of Feb 25, 2023 stood at13,998 for APC and 11,194 for PDP giving a difference of 2, 433 votes.

Tribunal further ruled that there was no election in 19 polling Units and consequently ordered a supplementary elections at Primary school Village square Ehom, Ehom Ward, PCN Primary school, Evia, Ehom Ward, Village Square, Umoulor, Erei North, Playground Abaribara 1, Abayom Ward, Playground Abaribara 11, Abayom Ward, and Primary school Ikoi Esai, Iko Ward. Other units are Okop-Edi playground -Uyanga, Uyanga Ward, playground Osumb Playground Ekong Anaku.---Ojuk North, Playground Iku, Ikpai Ward, 12, Akwa Ibami playground, Uyanga Ward, Primary School Ojor Ward and Uyanga Ward.

The Tribunal in its wisdom canceled the polling units at Bus stop, Akpet central APC,104 votes and PDP, 36 votes; Playground Emouno with APC 122 votes and PDP 10 votes; Market Square Itu Agwagune with APC 51 votes and PDP 1 vote; Primary School,Ibini with APC 82 votes and PDP 52 votes; Town Hall Emienyo Biakpan with APC 103 votes and PDP 40 votes and Playground Ijom with APC 89 votes and PDP 37 votes totallying 551 and 180 canceled votes for APC and PDP respectively Following the cancellation, from the 13,998 votes originally secured by the, APC, 551 votes was deducted by the Tribunal leaving APC with 13,447 votes.

Similarly, from the 11,194 votes originally secured by the PDP,180 votes were deducted leaving the PDP with 11,014 votes.

In the light of the above, a difference of 2,433 votes puts the APC ahead of PDP, implying that the opposition would have to first address the difference to be at par with the APC before going for additional votes in the prescribed 19 polling units where the re-run was ordered to win.

An analyst, Ntufam Marthins Ojong, said the PDP has much to do to square up with the ruling party that is on the advantage already based on the margin of votes, adding that the division within PDP would to some extent affect the outcome of the polls. Reacting, an APC stalwart, Hon. Emmanuel Eko, said from Appeal ruling Rep Emil Inyang and his party (APC) still has a big advantage and would clinch the supplementary election with ease.

In Obanliku state constituency, the battle is between Hon. Sunday Achunekan (PDP) and Hon.Pius Ashakia in Bebuenkayang unit 002 and Bayaga unit 033 in Bisu ward.

The two polling units are said to be a PDP stronghold just as House of Reps man is of PDP. In Yala II State Constituency, Dr. Martins Achadu (PDP) would battle it out with APC Cynthia Nkassi. Yala II is in Ukele, which is also PDP-dominated area and Achadu may likely emerge victorious. Verdicts: APC would win Akamkpa/Baise federal constituency; PDP for Obanliku and PDP for Yala.

On Akwa Ibom State Re-Run in Ibiono Ibom State Constituency and Ikono/ Ini Federal Constituency From Akwa Ibom State, Uyime Bassey reports that the battle is in Ibiono Ibom state constituency and Ikono/ Ini federal constituency between YPP and PDP candidates of Comr Moses Essien (YPP), Rt Hon Godwin Ekpo (PDP), Hon Emmanuel Ukpong Udo (YPP) and Dr Glory Edet (PDP) respectively.

As usual, all eyes are on government, INEC and security personnel on the supplementary election as electorate demand neutrality and fairness from electoral umpire.

Every citizen of the affected political ward wants to know how peaceful, transparent, impartiality, efficiency the electoral process will be.

The citizens are apprehensive considering the level of insecurity that took place at Itak Ward 11 in Ikono LGA, one of the affected areas, where lives were lost in attempt by politician to disrupt the electoral process to their favour.

Similar incident happened recently at Ibiono Ibom precisely, where gunmen invaded the area and attacked indigenes ahead of the reruns, fueling speculations that the by re-run might not be free and fair.

However, findings by THE BEAGLE NEWS revealed that Hon Emmanuel Ukpong Udo of Young Progressive Party (YPP) is leading with high numbers of vote which makes the supplementary election a fight lost for Dr Glory Edet of the People Democratic Party (PDP).

From the results of the February 25, 2023 NASS elections declared so far by INEC for Ikono/Ini federal constituency, YPP polled 13, 102 votes while PDP scored 7, 0679 for Ikono LGA.

In Ini LGA, YPP polled 6823 votes to PDP 8686 votes. So, the YPP is leading with about 4,161 votes for Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency.

Moving to Ibiono Ibom state constituency, again Comr. Moses Essien of YPP polled 18,235 votes as against Rt. Hon Godwin Ekpo of PDP who polled 10,552 votes.

(Ibiono Ibom) is known as YPP most dominated area which no matter the intimation and rigging the YPP candidate will still win the election as the party is already leading with about 7,683.

However, Akwa Ibomites have urged Governor, Pst. Umo Bassey Eno to give them a peaceful and transparent by-election Welcoming the new INEC Commissioner to the state Eno said: “We trust that you will continue to maintain a very neutral stand in your conduct as always.

For us as a people, we believe that the will of the people should always be respected, and people should vote their conscience in elections.

Raising concern about the procedure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mallam Isah Shaka Ehimeake, the Governor said: You should rewrite the history of INEC in Akwa Ibom State.

The experience in few elections in the state has made the electorate loss trust on INEC hereby barrier the voters to go and vote because they know their vote will not count.

The REC Commissioner, Sir we Akwa Ibommite will hold you to your word if you fail to display transparency, impartiality and efficiency in the coming election.

"I want to reiterate that our role in the democratic process is pivotal and the trust placed upon us by the citizens demands unwavering commitment to the principles of transparency, impartiality and efficiency.

Each of you as Heads of Departments and Electoral Officers in local government areas play a crucial part in upholding these ideals.

"I am also compelled to bring to your notice the February 3rd, 2024 supplementary election coming up in Ibiono Ibom State Constituency and Ikono/ Ini Federal Constituency, I want us to take this exercise seriously for us to be able to deliver on an acceptable, free, fair and credible exercise. "Being my first experience, I don't have any iota of doubt that you will all work assiduously to deliver a successful election.

This is a starting point of collaboration and successful electoral season that will usher in greater good of democratic values in Akwa Ibom State.

For INEC to regain the trust of the electorate, they should kick against bribery, use of fake material to collate results and say NO to partisanship. I appeal to the Department of state Services (DSS), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Nigerian Police Force to be vigilant to avoid imposture damaging their image in the forthcoming election.

Let's make history together as free, fair and transparent election will be done in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Ikono and Ini Federal Constituency. Let the electorate votes count, INEC should set new record.

Government should end deployment of fake policeman and thugs in order to disrupt and hijack electioneering materials.

On Ebonyi State South Senatorial By-Election From Ebonyi state, Oko Omaka reports that there are four leading candidates contesting for the Ebonyi south senatorial by-election including Prof. Anthony Okorie Ani of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Hon. Linus Abba Okorie of  Labour Party (LP), Barr. Silas Onu of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Chief Edward Eleje of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).  Prof. Ani of PDP, who went unopposed as Mrs Ann Agom Eze, one of the aspirants who indicated interest after purchasing form to run for the seat, failed to return it and never appeared for screening, seems to be the favourite according to political pundits.

Ani was the consensus candidate of APC and all other stakeholders, during one of the meetings, zoned it to Onicha, where Ani hails from. Besides, considering the strength and structure of the ruling APC, the division in PDP and LP and massive support being enjoyed by the Ani, APC is coasting to victory on February 3.

Checks by THE BEAGLE NEWS revealed there is a big crack within the leading opposition parties of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) as they held parallel primary election in the state as factional candidates have emerged from various primaries ahead of the Southern senatorial election. 

In PDP, the former chairman of PDP, Barr. Silas Onu, emerged winner of the party's primary bye-election committee headed by Mr. Lekan Rotimi, and polled a total of 143 votes to defeat his only opponent, Sen. Ama Nnachi who scored zero votes in the election.

Rotimi, who declared the result after the voting noted that the exercise complied with the party's laid down guidelines and extant electoral law, adjudging it as credible, free and fair. "Chief Silas Onu having complied with the relevant electoral law and the PDP primary election guideline and having won the majority lawful votes is hereby declared the winner and returned elected as the PDP candidate for the Ebonyi South Senatorial district.

"A total of 144 delegates were accredited to vote in the election, with one invalid vote recorded," adding that relevant security agencies agencies including the Department of State Security (DSS), Police, Civil Defence and army, as well as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), monitored the election.

He also dismissed allegations of parallel primary election in any part of the zone saying that his committee remained the only committee mandated by the national party secretariat to conduct the election in the zone.

"I'm not aware of any other congress going on anywhere, like I said, I have told you my name and my committee members and we are the only people sent to conduct the election from Abuja," he added.

Onu in an acceptance speech said: "We do not have a divided house; you see what happened here today the election was held peacefully, sadly, one of the local government areas delegates didn't participate though every arrangement was made for all delegates to be here.

"We still thanked God. delegates from the four local government areas out of five participated and God has favoured us. We have work to do, we have less than three weeks to the election and what we need to do is to put our house in order and we have no option than to win this senatorial election and together we will," Onu said.

In another primary, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) endorsed Sen. Micheal Amah-Nnachi for the forthcoming Ebonyi South senatorial re-run. In a statement signed and issued by the Deputy Governorship candidate of the PDP in the 2023 elections, Sen. Paulinus Igwenwagu, observed Amah-Nnachi had strong leadership qualities and large followership, saying the party has resolved to support our candidate, Senator Michael Amah-Nnachi for the forthcoming bye-election in Ebonyi South Senatorial District. 

According to him, this position premised upon the fact that he remains our best foot forward; Sen. Nnachi as our candidate in the 2023 general elections despite the evil machinations, violence against our people and gang-up against our great party stood firm and strong throughout the electioneering process, and he stood firm with our party throughout the judicial processes till date. 

Also, Senator Michael Amah-Nnachi remains our candidate in line with the well-thought zoning arrangement of our great, the PDP as agreed by our stakeholders.

“On January 8, 2024 our delegates in Ebonyi South Senatorial District once again affirm the choice of our great party, Senator Michael Amah-Nnachi as the candidate of our great party for the scheduled bye-election for Ebonyi South Senatorial District.

“It is important that our teeming members understand that it is still the same election and therefore, there is no need changing our best for the election.

Senator Michael Amah-Nnachi remains the candidate of the PDP for Ebonyi South Senatorial Candidate for the February 3, 2024 bye-election.  Similarly, LP conducted parallel primaries for Ebonyi South Senatorial district by-election Linus Abaa Okorie and Mr. Abuson Nwabueze have emerged candidates.

 Linus Okorie has been a two-time member of the House of representatives from 2011 to 2019.

 With this development, the leading opposition parties, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP), in Ebonyi state may not field candidates for the February 3, 2024 Southern senatorial election as both parties are said to be in court challenging the emergence of one another candidacay.

 This may give APC a smooth ride to victory.